Method of making match packets



' Oct. 30, 1-945.

- R. s. PULLEN METHOD OF MAKING MATCH PACKETS Filed June 26, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 1945- V R. s. PULLEN 2,388,012

METHOD OF MAKING MATCH PACKETS Filed June 26, 1943 2 sheetssheet 2 also to wood strip matches using strips Patented Oct. 30, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,388,012 METHOD OF BIAKING MATCH PACKETS Rodney S. Pullen, Akron, Ohio, assignor to Pullenlite Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 26, 1943, SerialNo. 492,346

Claims.

My invention relates to match packets. made of paper matches or. wooden matches and. to mechanism and methods by which match packets may be constructed.

The main purpose of my invention is to simplify and cheapen the manufacture of thepacket.

Afurther purpose is to hold the parts together simply and efl'ectively during handling so as to avoid the necessity for separate holding mechamsm. i A further purpose. is to use a separate strip between the staggered. matches of two rows of matches in a packet section of match comb and temporarily to fasten the strip to some of the matches as an intermediate means of holding the parts together during manufacture.

A further purpose is to provide a floating intermediate strip between adjacent rows of staggered matches, to place scratcher material upon this strip and to retain the strip against withdrawal'inthe direction of match movement by turning the edge of 1th strip across one row of match, heads.

A further purpose is preliminarily to print or paint heat sealing, material upon the inside of a match packet cover or on the outside of a bale m juxtaposition therewith, which can be hantiled. freely, without any objectionable tackiness duringfltheintermediate steps of manufacture andwhich can finally thebale, to hold the packet together.

The invention relates to theme'thod involved. Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

The present application is a continuation in part of application 407,541 for Match packet and method of making it, filed August 20, 1941.

I have preferred to illustrate a few only of structures and methods by which the operation canibe carried out, applying, the invention to paperstrip matches. The invention is applicable of proper thicknesssimilarto veneers.

Thefront has been considered as set by the head ends of the match, and the side has been taken as theside of thematcli.

be sealed, the cover to Figure 2' except that the scratcher insert between the rows of staggered matches has been cut from the roll of which it formed a part.

Figure 3 is a vertical side elevational section of a composite tool by which the scratcher insert may be impacted into temporary union with section. and has been cut from the roll 01 bale material of which it formed a part. It is ready to be folded about the comb section and insert.

Figure 6 is a perspective View showing intermediate steps in the operation of folding the bale about the section of comb and about the insert.

Figure 7 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 6 except that the bale has been folded into closed position,

Figure 7* is a transverse section taken through the comb material, insert andbale upon a line shown generally at l of Figure '7.

Figure'T is a section corresponding generally to Figure 7 except that it has been taken upon. line Figure 1 is a perspective view showing in separated position asection of a match combalong with a1;ro1l-carried spacing insert carrying scratcher material and intended. to be fed between the rows of-the staggered matches.

Figure 2;is a withFigur e, 1 except that the parts have been fed intounion.

fi re sis a perspective correspon with perspective. view. corresponding packet at other points and the packet may be completed from what might be considered raw materials, all in this same machine. This has been varied of course in paper book match manufacture because the combs of matches necessarily have been prepared outside and have been fed to the machine in comb sections, each sufficient for one packet, everything else entering into the book match being fed from rolls.

Book match manufacture, as now practiced,

involves the use of a long and very complicated mechanism and presents difiiculties which are avoided in my invention by further splitting up the manufacture into parts which are prepared in separate machines and which are used as raw materials in the present invention.

I plan to prepare the comb as usual, to divide it into comb sections; to use an intermediate strip betweenthe rows of staggered matches of the comb, preparing the strip by placing layers of scratch material upon opposite sides of the strip at one edge, and feeding the strip with striking material on it as raw material to the machine.

Corrugated bale material likewise is cut into strips so that individual bales can be fed from a roll to positions about the match sections and scratcher strips. The wrapper is then applied.

The views are intended to be largely diagrammatic and to show a succession of operations which may be performed by hand but which preferably are carried out by a machine. The successive positions of the operating parts are illustrated with little complication by mechanism for effecting the several movements of the parts. This is done for two reasons: to indicate that the method involved may be carried out by hand, and because there are many ways in which the movements can be effected.

In Figure 1, and for convenience in handling where a machine is used, a comb section sufficient for one packet is held by a link 2| of a chain by which the section is advanced in the direction ofthe arrow 22 for successive operations at difierent stations. as station I the match comb is in position to receive the end match scratcher insert 23 of a roll 24 of match scratcher inserts 23, 23, 23 23 each comprising a spacing band or strip 25 and scratcher material 26, 21 on opposite sides of the strip.

The match scratcher insert is fed between the rows of matches, as seen in Figure 2, after which the scratcher strip and some of the matches are pierced under such conditions that a part 28 of the strip is carried into each vof the matches pierced and concurrently or separately therewith the strip is cut from the roll.

The scratcher insert lies between two rows 29 and 36 of staggered matches and'the impaling is preferably effected by cutting through the striker strip and into selected matches of the lower row. The scratcher strip is also cut from the roll adjacent each successive second strip 23 of scratcher material and along any such line as 3|.

Considering Figure l In Figure 4 the match section with the scratcher strip in position is shown spaced from the end of the roll carrying bales 40, 49 the end one 40 of which is to be used as a bale for the particular match comb section shown. In Figure 5 this end bale portion 40 underlies the match comb section and striker strip. Its ends project at, 4| and 42 beyond the match section sides and the bale has been cut fromtl'le roll.

The bale comprises corrugated interior facing 43 and backing 44, the corrugation channels preferably being of extra width at and 46, corresponding in spacing, one from the other, to the width of the comb section, so as to facilitate For the purpose of efiecting these impaling and cutting operations by machine a tool of the character of that in Figure 3 may be used. This tool as shown comprises a holder 32 carrying a shearing knife 33 in position to out along line 3| 7 of the scratcher strip. The holder carries also an impaling punch 34. The latter as shown is flattened on opposite sides at 35 and V pointed at 36 and is backed up by a spring 31 pressing the body 38 of the impaling punch downwardly to exert a holding function during the cutting and finally to punch the strip and matches.

By whatever means the impaling is effected it results in carrying portions 28 of the body of the strip into the matches so as slightly to retard movement of the strip of scratcher material with respect to the matches.

The next operation is the enclosure of the comb.

section and spring scratcher strip within a bale.

bending of the ends of the bale at these channel positions and through successive folding positions of which'two are seen in Figure 6. The folding continues from the positions seen in Figure 6 until the ends 4| and 42 have been pushed down into the positions seen in Figure l,

As will be seen the interiorly facingribs 48 upon the ends of the bale lie in such position when closed upon the section of match comb that they fit within the spaces between the ad-- joining matches of one row of matches; and the ribs 48 upon the body of the bale interfit with the matches of the other row. If now a presser head 49 be pressed down upon the outside surfaces of the folded ends 40 and 42 of the bale while the body of the bale is supported by a platen 59, the ribs will be forced between the match sticks into side-stick gripping engagementmuch as seen in Figure 7 It is not the intention to engage the ribs with the match sticks throughout all of that part of the lengths of the matches which is covered by the width of the folded bale. Instead theribs are forced into the spaces between the matches at spaced points only along the matcnlengths, at or near opposite edges 5| and 520i the bale so as to leave the central part 53 of the width of the bale, both above and below th'esbale' in Figure '7, relatively crowned and with b'utlight 7 pressure upon the surfaces of the matches.

The spaced frictional engagements ,(constric-- tions) of the walls of the corrugation ribs, with bale along the match lengths, and, particularly as to the bale ends, to hold these ends in closed (folded) position.

The constrictions near to the heads of the matches are efiective also to afford retardation to withdrawal of the match heads when the matches are pulled for use. Some retardation of the kind is essential in order that the pull upon the match may be stored as it wereuntil it becomes great enough when the match is released to give the match the necessary rapid passage across theignition material and out from the interior of the packet. Ifthere were no retardation or if the match were pulled out slowly the head might not ignite with the friction ma-. terial andif it did ignite, the match would not beipulled out with sufiicient rapidity to protect against flash from the match head reaching the adjacent matches. For the above reasonsthe use of some retardation is notonly desirable but is essential to reliable operation of the match packets.

The relatively crowned intermediate part of the bale width is located at a part of the packet at which the packet conveniently is held bygone hand during withdrawal of the matches and pro- 2,388,012 ytects against undue pressure of the fingers in holding bringingcorresponding pressure upon the matches: i

The; relative crowning of thelaterally middle by pressurefrom the holding hand: i 1 'Ihesecond-constriction, easilypassed by the headof the'ma'tch after-it hasjumpedfree from i the first 1 constriction, is nevertheless I a protection against flame from the igniting head flashing back andigniting other match heads.

I have found in practice that ample frictional resistance and propenretardation can be given bycrimping the ribs of the corrugations in-to the spaces-between the mat'ches at the two points indicated, spacedalongthe lengths of the match sticks andbothlying between. the match heads and the friction material; the one point close to the matchhead and the other point comparativ'ely close to the friction material;

-I'he holding strength of rib engagement with the combsection not only; holdsthe bale ends closed against it the comb section but retains the parts during the subsequent handling of the baled" comb section to form thematch packet.

Preferably during the operation of piercing the strikerinsert material into some of the matches or the cutting of thestriker strip from its roll, butpermissiblyduringthe pressing of the bale ribs into the spacesbetween the matches, the

projection 39- is turnedacross the-heads of one I row of the matches, assisting in holding the strip carryingstriker material against dislodgement when the matches are withdrawn.

Obviously here as in the other figures of my illustration the movements of the parts are relative and either part may move toward the other or both may be movedexcept as convenience of placement and of providing the motions and handling of the packet parts may affect the construction of a machine to accomplish the results.

It is the intention to have heat sealed fastening between the bale and the cover to hold the cover fast and thus complete the package.

The heat sealing material may be applied by printing or painting it in strips upon either of the facing surfaces of the bale and cover 54. Thus, the strips 55 of heat-set material may be placed upon the outside of the folded ends of the bale as shown and upon the back of the bale or upon the cover as shown or both.

Where other means of holding the cover to the packet are intended to be used within the heat set material, the parts of the wrap maybe held closed by the use of heat set material upon the outside of the match comb section or upon the inside of the folded ends of the wrap.

Note that after the heat sealing material is rendered tacky the heat does not need to be withdrawn.

The imprint of heat sealed material is most desirably applied to the cover or bale before the cover or bale is supplied to the machine by which the parts are to be brought together.

The heat sealed material is very desirable for use in this connection because of the fact that when cold it is without adhesive character and the parts can be fed and handled freely without complication by the adhesiveness of the compound. When the parts are all together the packet is pressed between heated surfaces 56, 51

parts. the platens 49 and 5ll'which-have been heated to and. is-held between them long enough for the heat sealed coatings to adhere to the adjacent The heated surfaces 55 and 5-! may be performthis further service.

As a final operation, the sticks are out free from the margin along-some such line :as-line l6 in Figure 7-.

Feeding of the several strips comprising insert material, balesand covermay lie-effected in well known ways, differing somewhat according to whetherthe sections fed be delivered in separate sheetsf-rom a hopper, for example,- or from roll. Where-the strips form parts of? a roll it is convenient to facilitate both guiding and feeding and insure accurate extents of feed by. use i ofsprocket wheels notshown engaging in strip holes 58- as in-the feeding: of film for projection purposes.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications to meet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident to others'sk illed in theart, to obtain all orpart of the benefits of my invention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claim all such in so far as'they fall within the reasonable spirit and scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim; as newand' desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In the method of making: a match packet, the intermediate steps which comprise inserting a spacing strip lengthwise from thehead ends of-asection-of a match comb and in piercing the strip and matches in line therewith at intervals of matches of a section of match comb and in piercing the strip, and matches in line with the strip, at intervals to intermingle the material of the strip and matches, so as temporarily to hold the strip against movement with respect to the match comb section and in placing a bale about the packet while the parts are so intermingled.

3. The method of inserting a spacing strip between two rows of matches and holding the strip tentatively in position with respect to the matches of the two rows which consists in inserting a strip carrying scratcher material between the two rows of matches of a section of match comb with the scratcher material near the edge of the strip farthest from the match heads and in holding the strip against movement lengthwise of the matches during the further manufacture of the match packet by interengaging parts of the matches or strip, one in the other.

4. In the method of making a match packet, the steps which comprise feeding a spacer carrying striker material between two rows of matches of a match comb section, holding the spacer and matches together by resilient lateral pressure of an impaling tool while cutting one edge of the spacer and subsequently pressing the impaling tool through the spacer and into one of the matches to interlock the-spacer and match section.

5. The method of inserting a spacing strip between two rows of matches and holding the strip tentatively in position with respect to the matches of the two rows which consists in inserting the strip from the head ends of thematches to a position in which part of the side of the strip extends beyond the match heads and in holding the strip against movement toward the free stick ends of the matches by strip in a direction across matches of one of the rows.

6. The method of inserting a spacing strip between two rows of match comb material and holding the strip tentatively in position with respect to the matches of the two rows which consists in inserting the strip from the head ends of the matches to a position in which part of the side of the strip extends beyond the match heads, piercing the strip and matches together to cause lateral intermingling of material one in the other and in turning on edge of the strip in a direction transverse to the heads of one row of matches across the match heads to prevent further movement of the strip toward the free stick ends of the matches.

7. In the method of making a match packet, the steps which comprise feeding a spacer carrying striker material between two rows of matches of a match comb section, covering the match section and spacer laterally by a corrugated bale whose ends terminate on one side of the section,

the heads of the pushing the ribs of bale corrugations into spaces between the matches adjacent the head endsof the matches and at a further spaced distance from the head ends and there spreading the ribs to hold the ends of the bale against the sides of the matches.

8. Inthe method of making a match packet, using a match comb, striking material, a bale and a cover, the intermediate steps which comprise cutting on a section of match comb suitable for a transversely turning the packet, applying the striking material for the matches of the comb and at the same time spacing the matches of the comb, folding the. bale laterally about the section and folding the cover longitudinally about the section and'holding the bale to the match section by friction and holding the cover and bale together by adhesion,

9. 'In'the method of making a match packet, using a match comb, striking material, and corrugated bale havingribs and a cover the intermediate stepswhich comprise'cutting off a section of match comb suitable for -a packet, applyingthe striking material for the matches, of the comb and at the same time spacing the matches of the comb, folding the bale laterally about the section and foldingthe cover longitudinally about the section holding the bale to the match section by friction and holding the cover and bale together by adhesion, andrcrowning the bale lengthwise of the matches at the sides of the match section and between points spaced along the ribs. 7

10. In the method of making a match packet,

the steps which comprise feeding a spacer carrying striker material between two rows of matches of a match comb section, covering the match section and spacer laterally by a corrugated bale whose ends terminate on one side of the section. pushing the ribs of bale corrugations into spaces between the matches adjacent the head ends of the matches and at a further spaced distance from the head ends, there spreading the ribs to hold the ends of the bale against the sides of the matches'and crowningthe bale lengthwise of the matches at the sides of the match section and between the'spread points upon the ribs.

RODNEY s. PULLEN; 

